News report of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from WTOP-TV(CBS) Washington D.C. by Julian Barber. There is an NBC News bulletin and special report with further details including news of King's death. An ABC bulletin is heard interrupting regular broadcasting, announcing the tragic death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joined in progress, late reports from Dan Rather on a CBS News Special Report. In a previous speech King is heard, reminding his followers that to put one's life on the line for what is just and righteous is to place oneself in danger, but the risks must be taken.
Another extensive CBS TV NEWS SPECIAL REPORT from Washington DC is telecast preempting regular programming the evening of April 4, 1968.
Walter Cronkite relays the latest news from Memphis, Tennessee where King was pronounced dead one hour after he was shot. Cronkite recounts a brief biographic report on King; his early life, his rise to fame, and the influences he has had promoting non-violent activates. Wires are read from shocked dignitaries. President Lyndon B. Johnson speaks live to the American people requesting all Americans to work together for peace and solidarity. Via video tape, Vice President Hubert Humphrey reflects on this tragedy and gives praise to the work which King has done and to his non-violent philosophy for acquiring freedom and civil rights for all people.
On the following day, April 5, CBS EVENING NEWS with WALTER CRONKIITE.
Dan Rather reports concerning the racial looting which has occurred. Ike Pappas reports from Memphis Tennessee. He states that at 2:06pm Dr. King walked on to his hotel balcony. 200 hundred feet away across the balcony one shot rang out and the assassin disappeared. Steve Rowan from Memphis reports of looting and chaos during the day. Officers in gas masks. Fires everywhere. A number of Negroes taken into custody. National Guard requested and called in near the White House. Incidents of looting in Detroit, Boston, and in the states of Tennessee, Colorado and North Carolina. A national day of mourning is reported by Dan Rather. President Johnson again talks to the American people requesting unity. Additional reports from Memphis come from Ike Pappas who states that King walked to railing at his hotel at 3:06pm. 200 feet away a single shot rang out, and the shooter disappeared. Bill Plante reports from Memphis related to the emotions felt.. Prayers from Dr. Ralph Abernathy are heard. From Atlanta, a report detailing the return of King's body to Georgia. Peter Burns reports on funeral arrangements. From Cleveland, John Hart reports; we hear statements from Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Carl Stokes.
From the HUNTLEY BRINKLEY REPORT(NBC), Chet Huntley and David Brinkley inform on the latest development regarding looting and violence in many states including Detroit, Greensboro, and Chicago. Federal troops ordered into the streets. All schools closed. Four deaths reported. Hundreds arrested in Detroit. Guard troops deployed in Nashville, Tennessee and in Chicago.
On CBS EVENING NEWS, Eric Sevareid comments on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.
He states, "never before has this nation gone into a proclaimed mourning, its flag everywhere at half staffed over the death of a private citizen. And this man was a descendent of slaves."
Walter Cronkite concludes with his signature sign off,
"And that's the way it is, April 5th, 1968. This is Walter Cronkinte. Good Night."
